“I apologize to the Filipino people for my recent remarks in a rally. There was no intention of disrespecting our women and those who have been victims of this horrible crime. Sometimes my mouth can get the better of me. However I will not apologize for the things I’ve done to protect our people, especially the weak and defenseless, from crime. I know what it can do to the victims and their families. The anguish and pain they cause. The trauma that can’t be erased. I have witnessed these myself numerous times.” This was the full statement of Mayor Duterte when he apologized for his blunder during a forum at the University of the Philippines-Visayas rally at La Paz Public Plaza regarding his remarks he made about an Australian lay minister who was raped and killed 20 years ago.Veteran columnist, Bobit S. Avila wrote on his column on April 21, 2016 how he admires Mayor Duterte because finally he said sorry about his recent faux pas. "In my book, it takes a man to apologize for his mistakes and I salute Mayor Duterte for he has shown to us that he can humble himself and ask forgiveness to the Filipino people," he wrote.Also Read: What this veteran lawyer tells about Digong's rape joke will make you respect Duterte even moreAvila then differentiated Duterte to Pres. Noynoy who until now has not apologized for the Manila Hostage Crisis, officially known as the Rizal Park hostage-taking incident, occurred when a displeased ex-Philippine National Police officer named Rolando Mendoza hijacked a tourist bus in Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines on August 23, 2010. Avila wrote, "Contrast this to unmovable Pres. Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III who until now has not apologized for the killing of the eight Hong Kong tourists who were hostaged and eventually killed by a deranged Police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza. Today, a great number of people that I have talked to still believe that P-Noy should have apologized to China for that incident that widened our rift with China."

Avila also criticized government system stating that nothing has changed since the EDSA revolution has happened. He wrote, "30-years have passed since the EDSA Revolt and nothing much has changed in our political system and worse, Pres. PNoy Aquino refuses to call for Charter Changes which can bring hope to our people who thirst for change. This is why Mayor Duterte ticks… despite his uncontrolled mouth!"He concluded that despite of the careless remarks of Mayor Duterte, millions of people are still believing that Duterte is the best and qualified presidential candidate as he is the one who can bring change to our political system. He wrote, "Meanwhile, we will know within the next few weeks or the next surveys whether the lead of Mayor Duterte in the Presidential race has been affected by that careless remark. In my book, a great majority of the Filipino people supports Mayor Duterte even if he is uncouth in his speech or uses vulgar language because they can relate to him. That surveys show that Mayor Duterte leads in Metro Manila, Davao and I’m sure he is also leading in Cebu and in Ilocos Norte is due to one main reason… people want change and amongst all the Presidentiables, only Duterte is selling change."Must Read:Anti-Duterte? Richard Poon and Maricar Reyes' reasons for voting Digong will surely change your perspectiveSource: PhilStar